Why Outsourcing is [Not] Way Too Risky

Cloth, rope, printed labels, hangtags, a silk-screened background…"Almost every piece on these bottles was sourced somewhere differently," explained Sallie Reynolds Allen, owner of Studio 32 North and packaging designer extraordinaire, in a recent PaperSpecs webinar. "There is no one-stop shop in packaging—you have to really be resourceful."

Sallie went deep—really deep—into all the details she researches and tests to make her packaging so outstanding. And she credits Jane, her print service provider, for helping her pull it all together.

In fact, many of the print projects that I am involved in require a special something: spot gloss UV, foil stamping, embossing, fulfillment services. Many times the print service provider can perform the services in house, but sometimes this is simply not an option.

Let’s face it, no one can be an expert on everything, and I have yet to find a printer who covers every possibility in-house. The point is, if I like working with a specific PSP, I trust that they can get everything I want and need done.

And between you and me, I do not care if they do it in-house or outsource to other providers that are equally detail oriented and professional, as long as the quality is great and they deliver on time. And most creatives and print buyers would agree with that.

I know that most PSPs are more than reluctant to outsource any value-added production. Yes, it is more of a hassle. Yes, it requires that extra step. But is it not worth it to get a specific project or make a good client really happy?

Well, I hear you say, I have no problem with outsourcing. That’s excellent news. Sadly, though, you’re squarely in the minority. According to a recent study by PRIMIR, 80 percent of PSPs are generally unwilling to offer any value-added services they cannot perform in-house.

So if you are among that plucky 20 percent, congratulations. Just know that most creatives and print buyers—62 percent according to that same study—have no problem with you outsourcing elements of their projects so long as you maintain your usual high standards.

Like me, they would rather work with one printer they trust than have to give up on their creative vision. They know they can trust that special PSP to deliver on their specifications, their budget and their deadline. And if behind the scenes it takes 10 different companies to do so...as long as you have our back, we’ll have yours.

p.s. If you want to know the level of perfectionism and detail creatives drool over, take just a few minutes and listen to some of the tips and insights Sallie Reynolds Allen, owner of Studio 32 North, shared in this webinar.